Chapter Text
Static. Out of nowhere, things quickly went quiet. Zanka couldn’t even tell right away if he was awake or not, his vision blurring. Startled by a piercing scream in the distance, he came back to his senses. His eyes wandering around until they spotted a scenery that would stay etched in his mind forever. A crimson red surrounding a limpless body, one belonging to someone very dear to him.
--------------⋆˚꩜｡𐔌՞. .՞𐦯⋆. 𐙚 ˚
The first bell rang, announcing the upcoming class. Zanka quickly packed his things and headed his way, when suddenly, his phone started buzzing like crazy. The culprit behind it was a group chat that consisted of him and his two friends, Riyo and Rudo. Their friendship sometimes seems more like unpaid babysitting rather than the traditional idea of what it should look like, but nevertheless, Zanka doesn’t mind it. As he’s making his way through the hallway, occupied by Riyo and Rudo’s usual bickering over unimportant matters, he doesn’t notice someone calling out to him. That is, until he feels a tap on the shoulder.
“YO! Zanka!” Jabber yells, somehow beaming with energy at 9 am.
“Huh? Ah- sorry I was looking at my phone...” Zanka gestures to Jabber to be quieter as he feels everyone’s gaze at them.
“Right right, um ya kinda forgot your jacket when you left class” he replies, handing Zanka his jacket.
“Oh, thank-”
“Anyway gotta roll! See’ya!” Jabber quickly adds before running off.
Zanka sighs, not at all surprised to see Jabber having some other business to tend to rather than going to class. After all, he’s infamous for being the genius who got held back not because of poor performances but his absences. Eventually, Zanka finally got to his class. The chatter around him gradually died out with the ring of the second bell making its appearance.
--------------⋆˚꩜｡𐔌՞. .՞𐦯⋆. 𐙚 ˚
The third period came to an end with everyone immediately rushing out, eager to catch a spot in the cafeteria. Zanka, however, had no need to worry as he had already established a different routine. Waiting for him outside the classroom were none other than Riyo and Rudo.
“Took you long enough! Anyway, you won’t believe what we discovered” Riyo exclaimed proudly
“Honestly, coming from you, I’m not sure if I should be excited or concerned” Zanka was quick to add.
“Trust it’s literally so cool!!” said Rudo.
...
The sight before them was an old building situated near the school’s sports field. By the looks of it, it was built long before the rest of the school was. No one knew exactly what the deal was, but it was obvious that it was a part of the main buildings at one point. The reason for its abandonment still unknown to the students, resulting in many rumors about it surfacing. The more rational bunch came to a conclusion that the building was simply outdated or not needed, while the rest who didn’t want to settle for something not as exciting theorized about accidents or even murders that might have happened there.
“...Is there a joke I’m not getting..” Zanka immediately asked, eye twitching as half the break has passed already and they led him to a locked, abandoned building that everyone knows is there.
“Dude we found a way in that’s what's important, who knows what kind of creepy shit is in there!” Riyo said with excitement.
“I take it back...I kinda don’t wanna go in now...” Rudo tried to go back but Riyo quickly grabbed him.
“Ain’t no way you’re going back now, we GOTTA go in!!!”
Zanka didn’t want to admit it, but he was kind of curious as well, not that he’d say it out loud though. He couldn’t afford to have Riyo know that one of her impulsive plans wasn’t so bad after all, especially since he complained all the way there. He’d never hear the end of it. They ended up following Riyo’s lead as she confidently made her way over to a window that had cardboard boxes stacked on top of eachother in front of it. As she began to disassemble the tower of boxes, it revealed that the window consisted of four glass panels, but with one of them missing.
“Last semester, around the beginning, I spent some time going to the parts of the school I’ve never been to before.” She proceeded to start explaining “And the first time I was here I think there was like trash or something so it covered almost the whole window, but a few days ago I heard that someone had vandalized the building.”
“I think I heard something about that too actually, isn’t the principal super pissed?” Zanka interrupted.
“Yeah totally, but they can’t figure out who’s behind it. Anyway, I went to check it out with Rudo and boom we spotted the window, uncovered! The culprit must have his things hiding in there I’m betting on it”
Still hesitant to go in, Rudo added: “What if he’s in there right now?? “
“We’ll dip immediately if we see anyone, simple!” Riyo attempted to reassure him, giving him a thumbs up as well.
Zanka and Rudo followed as Riyo was first to enter through the opening where the missing panel should have been. Inside, as expected, everything was simply dusty and old. Nothing out of the ordinary, except a corner where a duffle bag and a few cans of fizzy drinks could be seen.
“Do you think it’s a dismembered body?” Riyo giggled as she looked at Rudo waiting for him to say something at her attempt to scare him.
Rudo simply flipped her off as Zanka rolled his eyes at the both of them. The three of them simultaneously walked up to the bag, curious to see what the ‘troublemaker’ had left behind. To no one’s surprise, it was filled with all kinds of cans of spray paint.
“Atleast we know it ain’t a ghost that does the vandalizing or something...” Riyo shrugged, disappointed that there wasn’t anything more interesting in there.
They spent a few more minutes looking around the room they were in before realizing that they should head back as class was about to start soon. It was clear that Riyo was kind of bummed about having to leave already. Zanka couldn’t help but feel bad even if it’s over such a trivial thing. Although maybe it wasn’t, it was still Riyo’s attempt to do something fun with him and Rudo, which does mean a lot to her.
“We can always come back and explore the rest y’know it’s not the end of the world.”
Sensing Zanka’s intention, Rudo jumped in: “Yeah!! If yall go first though, just incase” he looked away, flustered.
“Deal!” she smiled, suddenly full of life again.
“I’ll get out the window first, just incase.” Zanka insisted. It may seem like he was doing it to ensure their safety, which could be partially true. However, the truth is, he didn’t want to risk Riyo dragging him by the foot or whatever idea pops into her head, resulting in him ending up face flat on the concrete.
...
As he was about to make his way to the window, they all stopped in their tracks. The ground started shaking. In a matter of seconds, the intensity increased not even giving them time to realize what was going on. Suddenly, the window burst as if an explosive had been triggered near it, sending shattered pieces of glass flying. Zanka felt as if he was skipping steps, jumping from a different moment to another too quickly to grasp the current situation. Riyo laughing in the background as he’s walking, blink. Glass shards just centimeters away from him, blink. The building’s old structure crumbling under the pressure, blink. A muffled sound, seemingly someone calling out to him- until his vision went blank. For a moment, it was like everything shut down. He wasn’t sure of anything anymore, but it was like he could feel something unusual forming inside of him, something he’s never felt before. After what felt like an eternity, he opened his eyes. In the distance, he could hear distressed screams coming from the main buildings. Immediately realizing the ground is as still as it used to be, but something wasn’t right. Was it the pain he felt in his back, suddenly reminding him of what happened? No, it was something far worse. Before him, lay Rudo, his leg crushed under a stone slab. Beside him was Riyo, with an expression Zanka’s never seen before, a mix of terror and her usual playfulness. Tears forming in her eyes as she’s calling out to Rudo, her voice shaking. Her gaze suddenly shifted over to Zanka, realizing that he was finally out of the trance he was in just a moment ago.
“He’s- he’s not saying anything... he was fine a moment ago... he’s just..” Riyo muttered under her breath, visibly refusing to believe that what was before her is real. Zanka, as shocked as she was, stood there for a moment. Just.. staring. He managed to gather enough strength to get on his feet. As much as he wanted to comfort Rudo, tell him that everything will be alright, he knew that wouldn’t actually help him. At his best efforts, using all that he had left in him, he tried to push the stone off of Rudo’s leg. Unfortunately, with little to no success he turned to Riyo. As she too became fully aware of her surroundings, her eyes shifted to Zanka once again. Again, he was met with another unfamiliar look of her’s, this time it sent a chill down his spine. What was the oddest were her eyes that went from the usual forest green to a glowing, almost blinding, version. Without a word, she got up and stumbled over to the slab. Her face still and her hands reaching for it. Zanka looked at her with pity. That was until the slab actually moved. Not by a little, but moved in a way that she had fully lifted it, cracking the edge she was holding as she let go, letting it fall to the other side. Left in utter disbelief, Zanka stared at her for a moment as she stared back, her expression still the same. Soon, both of them quickly ran over to Rudo, not saying anything to eachother as they knew the sorry sight before them was far more important. With her newfound strength, Riyo picked Rudo up with ease, carrying him in her arms. Meanwhile, Zanka shattered the window completely to ensure that they get out without injuring Rudo furthermore. Zanka left through the window first, letting Riyo carefully place Rudo on his back from above before finally jumping out herself. The two of them immediately took off. Around the corner of the building, someone who was seemingly in a rush as well bumped into Riyo.
“Shit- sorry I didn-” the man suddenly stopped, staring at her. Her green eyes staring back, still radiating a glow, similar to that of a firefly. He was stunned for a moment, the same way Zanka was when he noticed her eyes.
“Kid you... Do you happen to- !” before he could finish, Riyo collapsed, falling backwards as the man caught her before she could hit the ground.
“RIYO!!” Zanka instinctively yelled as he made a motion as if he was trying to catch her.
For a moment, they exchanged looks. One of them stared in pity and the other in despair. The man’s demeanor suddenly shifted to focused having realized something.
“Were you in that building when the tremor in the ground hit?” he immediately asked.
Struggling to find his voice, Zanka simply nodded.
“Right, uh... look, I can get your friends help, okay? You just need to trust me.” the man gesturing for Zanka to follow him. Hesitant, but yet again hopeless, Zanka gave in and let the man lead the way as the both of them carried a person on their backs.
“I’m Enjin, by the way... although it’s not really a convenient time for introductions I suppose” said Enjin, trying to lighten the mood.
“Zanka.” a reply immediately arrived, putting a smile on Enjin’s face as he took out his phone and dialed in a couple of numbers. After a few seconds of waiting, the person on the other end picked up.
“Enjin?”, “Semiu, make sure Eishia is there when I get back, it’s urgent.” he said, shifting back to a serious tone. “I’m guessing it’s about what happened just now, are you injured?”, “Not me. I’ll explain when I get there, alright?” things were quiet for a second before a reply finally arrived. “I’m on it. Gris and Tomme are waiting for you as we speak.” the call ended. Eventually, they got to a car that was parked by the side of the road with a blonde haired man sitting in the driver’s seat. Zanka could only assume that he was one of the two people whose names he heard just a moment ago. Enjin opened the door signaling to Zanka to get in.
Quickly grasping the situation, a young girl sitting in the backseat reached out her hand: “It’s alright, you’re all safe now” she gave him a gentle smile.
Still unsure of his decision, he paused for a moment. If you were to ask him an hour ago would he willingly enter the car of a complete stranger with both Riyo and Rudo unconscious, he would probably think you’re joking. But in a moment of desperation, common sense didn’t seem to be present. At last, he let his emotions prevail, genuinely having hope that his friends will be alright.
--------------⋆˚꩜｡𐔌՞. .՞𐦯⋆. 𐙚 ˚
Having ‘survived’ the third period (as he’d describe it), Jabber was the first to rush out of the classroom. He didn’t waste much time at the cafeteria, taking only a few snacks with him before he left the building. The initial idea was for him to spend his time wandering around, blasting music through his headphones till the bell rang since he couldn’t skip as many classes as he’d like to. His boredom soon won over so he decided to hang around the old building, to admire his work-- or to simply kill some time. On his way there, he too felt it. The sudden hit of what felt like an earthquake. He didn’t really care nor was he aware of the severity of the situation, so continued on until a though came rushing to him: “Shit man my stuff is in there!!!” He immediately picked up the pace, hoping the entrance wouldn’t be blocked off. He couldn’t help but notice the air getting more and more dense as he got closer to the building, something felt off. At last, he was about to approach the window when he suddenly pulled back and hid behind a wall. He spotted Zanka. “What’s he doing there??.. Jabber thought to himself. The sight of Riyo and Rudo followed, but the closer he looked the more he noticed. His heartbeat began to increase rapidly. His eyes first landed on Riyo’s, captivated by the glow. He brushed it off as him still being a bit high. What really made his blood run cold were Rudo and Zanka. Although, as gruesome as Rudo’s case was, he couldn’t take his eyes off Zanka. Even Jabber himself couldn’t tell why. Blood could be seen streaming down Zanka’s face, it was obvious he wasn’t lightly injured.
Coming back to his senses, he tried calling out: “ZAN-!”
...The attempt was short-lived. His voice suddenly cut off, silenced by a sharp pain that spread throughout his whole body.
“Wh..what the hell is this?!” he managed to mutter to himself before he was met with yet another wave of anguish, causing his body to cramp as he fell to the ground. Soon, it became harder to breathe. He found himself frantically gasping for air. Unable to move, the only thing he could do was turn his head and watch as his classmate walked away. Along with the physical one, he could feel another kind of pain within him. Was it regret or even guilt? Or perhaps, he was mad at himself for being helpless in a situation like this. He wasn’t sure. At that point, he could no longer manage to keep his eyes open.
...
At a time like this he couldn’t tell what was real and what was not. His thoughts were scattered all over.
“So fragile... it’s pathetic.” he could make out the words of a muffled voice coming from somewhere near him. He managed to slightly open his eyes, but it was mostly to no avail. His vision blurred, barely allowing him to make out his surroundings. He could, however, see a dark figure slowly approaching.
“Huh. Isn’t this quite fascinating?” The voice got louder with it being clear that it belonged to the said approaching figure. “I have a feeling you might prove to be useful.” he continued.
“What is this guy yapping about?... Man, my head hurts like a bitch...” He stared at the man, his eyes suddenly a bright magenta, glowing exactly like the pair he saw before passing out.
Jabber could feel the ounce of energy he regained quickly fading. Slowly, he began to drift off again.